Why it happens
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The scavenger's instinct
A dog's ancestors lived on whatever they found: scraps, dead animals, fallen fruit. Swallowing a find fast, before anyone takes it away, comes perfectly naturally to a dog.
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Food-loving dogs
Labradors, beagles and some other dogs simply live for food, so they search for it under every bush. To a dog that always feels hungry, every crumb is treasure.
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A puppy explores with its mouth
A puppy gets to know the world by tasting it: leaves, pebbles, sticks and litter all go into its mouth. This fades with age and training.
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A chase over the find
If the owner lunges to take away whatever the dog has picked up, the dog learns to swallow it faster, before it is taken. Chasing only makes it gulp things down quicker.
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Boredom and hunger
A walk with nothing to do and a long gap since the last meal both strengthen the urge to look for food on the ground. If your dog eats poo, there is a separate page about that.
What helps
- Teach "leave it" and "give" At home, with treats, teach your dog to leave an item on the floor and get something better in exchange. Once it works at home, start practising outdoors where there is little to find.
- Swap, do not snatch If your dog has already picked something up, do not chase it. Offer a tasty swap and praise it when it lets go. The dog learns that giving things up pays.
- Supervision on walks Near bins, kiosks and picnic spots, and in spring when the melting snow uncovers a whole winter's worth of rubbish, keep your dog close and watch the ground. Draw its attention to you with a treat or a game until you are past.
- Let it search safely Feed part of the daily food from food puzzles, or scatter it on the grass in the garden or on a snuffle mat indoors for a scent game. A dog that can search for food safely looks for it less in the street.
- A basket muzzle If your dog still swallows dangerous things, consider a basket muzzle, which lets it pant, drink and take a treat freely. Get it used to the muzzle gradually and with treats, so the muzzle means something pleasant to the dog rather than a punishment.
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When to see a trainer or behaviourist
If your dog growls, freezes or bites when you try to take a find, see a qualified trainer or behaviourist who uses reward-based methods. In the meantime, do not try to take the find by force or put your hands in its mouth: use swaps and avoid places with a lot to find.
When it is a question for a vet
See a vet straight away if your dog has swallowed a bone, a stick, poisoned bait, mouse or rat poison, a food that is toxic to dogs or anything else dangerous, even if it still seems well. The same goes if it vomits, chokes, drools, will not eat, has diarrhoea, has a swollen or painful belly, is lethargic or staggers.